Schubert Solutions

Working from home is awesome.  You get to stay in pajamas until way after lunch, there’s no office politics to dodge, and while you’re working you can have a load of laundry going without worrying that the house might catch fire.  No wonder everyone and their mother-in-law wants to be a freelance writer!

However, all of that awesome makes for a crowded market.  And do you honestly want your web copy or articles written by anyone with a laptop and some spare time?  Probably not.  You want a professional, with writing experience under their belt and more passion for the job than passion for working in pajamas.  I’ll be the first to admit it–I’m not even in my pajamas right now.  So much for living the dream.

The Hard Part: Finding a Freelance Writer You Can Trust

While your accountant might prefer that you stick with $5 articles and recycled content, it just doesn’t make good business sense.  Sure, it’s cheaper to choose the cheapest options, but who wants cheap copy?  Would you choose a car or a television based solely on the cheapest price?  Recycled content can’t help boost your web ratings, and $5 articles will mostly likely not be well-researched or well-written.  What your business needs is carefully crafted articles that draw in readers and impress them.

One of the ideas behind article marketing is that the article will get picked up by larger sites with wider audiences.  This viral spread is unlikely if the article is not worth sharing or it has been recycled so many times that it has already saturated the market.

So, how do you find an experienced, high-quality freelance writer when the internet is loaded with imitations?  Easy.

1. Go to the source. By posting a job ad, you’ll almost certainly receive tons of hits with low-ball offers.  You can sift through each candidates’ resume and clips to find the best, or you can find the actual best candidate.  This candidate may not have e-mailed you their resume.  You might have to go searching for them.  If there is a blog that you admire, find out who’s behind the reins.  They might have an open spot in their schedule, or they can give you a great recommendation.  If you’d prefer to post a job ad, try posting on a vetted freelance writing website, where you know the writers are dedicated to their craft.
2. Check out their website. Freelancing tends to draw a transient element.  People who think that freelance writing is a simple, get rich quick scheme do not stick around for long.  Most businesses understand the importance of building a working relationship with their writers, and you can’t build a relationship with a writer who isn’t in this for the long haul.  While anyone can build a website these days, many fly-by-night operations don’t ever get around to building a web presence.  At the very least, a website proves their dedication to freelancing and their understanding of the business side of writing.
3. Network–like, in person. While you may end up with some great writer recommendations off of Twitter, you still run the risk of ending up with an inexperienced writer.  Anyone can fake credentials on the internet.  When you’re talking to someone in person, though, you can get a better feel for their qualifications.  Ask around at your work or at networking events to see who your professional colleagues turn to when they need articles or press releases written.  A recommendation from a trusted source is one of the best ways to find a fantastic freelance writer.
4. Ask for clips.  This one is a no-brainer, but writers without clips are almost definitely inexperienced.  Any freelance writer that contacts you should have something to prove their writing chops–and an enthusiastic reference from their mom or grandmother doesn’t count.  If, for whatever reason, they can’t provide any clips, check out their personal blog.  Is it well-written?  Riddled with mistakes?  Is the content unique and well-researched?  You can tell a lot by a freelancer’s blog.
5. Be honest about your writing needs. Knowing the kind of writing your business requires is a critical piece of the puzzle.  Need someone to write informative blog posts?  Hire a writer that specializes in crafting blogs and has a good-sized portfolio of happy blog clients.  Want articles for your company newsletter?  Find a freelance writer who has experience writing and researching compelling articles.  A lot of freelance writers spread themselves across a variety of mediums, but you can often tell by their portfolio when they excel at one type of writing over the others.  Seems like common sense, but hire writers to do what they do best, and you will be far happier with the results.